Vildmark + Rigged and Ready
We thought we would like to share the adventures of Martin Grove. He has been instrumental in the development of Rigged and Ready for many years. Martin somehow blends his life as an outdoor adventurer with being a full-time paramedic.
Focus on Vildmark
By Martin Grove: Adventurer, Packrafter, Fisherman, and YouTuber
Exploring the wilderness, paddling remote lakes, and fishing hardly visited areas—this is me. My mission is to help you get outside, live the outdoors, and inspire your own adventures—whether that’s through gear reviews, tips, or wild stories from the trail.
The Outdoors
I'm Martin and I live on the banks of the River Waveney, UK, in Beccles, Suffolk. While working full-time for the East of England Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Technician, I spent ten years as an On-Call Firefighter with Suffolk Fire and Rescue. Dealing with all kinds of commotion and disaster, my work as an EMT can be rather demanding, so finding the time to paddle, climb and fish is not only a hobby but also a need to maintain my mental state. Using the outdoors to promote mental wellness is something I also strongly encourage. While I don’t personally struggle with mental health issues (apart from a dark sense of humour and an unnatural fondness for instant coffee), I firmly believe that spending time outside keeps everything balanced.
Growing up in Suffolk, my childhood was full of fishing, canoeing, and camping. My international adventures took me to South Africa, France, Italy, Tunisia, and Greece. In Cyprus, I taught wakeboarding and became a diving instructor.
A Life-changing Event
My wife and I went to Sri Lanka on December 25, 2004, while residing in Cyprus. The Boxing Day Tsunami struck the next morning as we waited on the beach for a dive boat. Before we could enter a car and ascend to the roof of a house for safety, we were escorted through the dive shop and along the road.
Check out Martin’s book Lakes, Lures & Laughter on his website or Amazon
I did my best to help those in need and dress wounds while we were in Sri Lanka. We came back to Cyprus on December 31, 2004, and from then we thought it was time to raise a family and settle down. Returning to the UK, I went back to tourism for a bit before starting the Fire Service as an on-call firefighter and eventually moving to the Ambulance Service as an EMT.
However, it wasn’t only the tsunami that changed my stance on life. There were a few other events along the way that left a lasting impact, (if I was a Cat!). A carjacking in South Africa, an avalanche in France, and even being struck by lightning—each of these events served as a reminder that life is far too short to just watch it go by. Therefore, i believe in *Carpe Diem*—seize the day. It’s become my driving force to make the most out of life and never take a single moment for granted.
My Love for Sweden & The Outdoors
I have a deep connection with Sweden, particularly the wilderness of Glaskogen and Lapland. The outdoor culture, the respect for nature that people are brought up with, and the amazing scenery and fishing possibilities keep calling me back. Embracing the Scandinavian way of life, fishing for trout and pike, and packrafting across Sweden's lakes have all occupied me. This is also why I call my brand and my travels *Vildmark*, which in Swedish means "wilderness." You can paddle all day, pitch a tent on a deserted island, and wake up to the sound of loons rather than your neighbor's lawn mower at this sort of location.
Martin has been a big part of testing and developing Rigged and Ready rods and tackle for many years
Fishing & Rigged and Ready Travel Rods
My life has always included a lot of fishing. Whether I was casting for cod on the beach or pike in the broads, fishing was my life growing up on the Suffolk coast with the Norfolk Broads on my doorstep. Since receiving a Rigged & Ready X5 Adventure travel rod for Christmas one year, I’ve never looked back. In fact, every single one of my rods has now been replaced with Rigged & Ready rods. These rods are versatile, packable, and built with high-quality craftsmanship, making them perfect for my adventures and everyday fishing.
Martin’s first and still favourite Rigged and Ready rod. The X5 Combination
- X5 Adventure – My go-to rod for packrafting and canoe trips. It’s compact, tough, and handles a variety of fishing conditions (even when I’m more hopeful than skilled).
- S-MAX – My rod of choice for targeting catfish, carp, mackerel, and cod. It has the power and flexibility to handle big fish (or at least convince my friends that they were massive before they got away).
- Infinite Fly – My dedicated fly rod, perfect for targeting trout and other species in both the UK and Sweden.
- Predator MAX – My rod for bass fishing, offering great control and performance.
- Smuggler 5 – The ultimate rod for pike fishing, offering good strength and portability.
The Call of the Wild
I spend as much time as possible outdoors. Suffolk’s coastal, river, and woodland landscapes provide some opportunities for adventure, but its flat terrain often pushes me to explore further afield, but one thing I had forgotten about is the big skies. It’s only when I have friends down that through them, I realise that up North or in Wales you don’t see the massive skies due to the terrain. But we don’t have the hills and mountains.
That’s where packrafting comes in, it's basically a cross between hiking and kayaking. You carry a lightweight inflatable raft on your back, hike into remote places, inflate your raft, and paddle into the unknown. It’s a brilliant way to explore rivers, lakes, and coastlines. Whether paddling through Swedish lakes, fishing remote waters, or camping on secluded islands, packrafting has opened the door to countless adventures.
I was introduced to packrafting about five years ago, and after my first trail paddle, I quickly realised how packrafting could truly open the doors to adventure. Whether it’s transforming the daily dog walk into a micro-adventure, hiking to a secluded Scottish loch and paddling out for a lone island camp, or exploring a pristine Norwegian lake system, packrafting is the perfect way to get deeper into the wilderness.
Packrafting is becoming increasingly popular in the UK as more people realise just how versatile, lightweight, and durable these rafts are. There’s a multitude of different models to suit any adventure, from whitewater-specific rafts, expedition models, and even ones designed to carry a bike, to ultra-lightweight options. They really do open the doors to adventure in ways you might not have considered.
I get a lot of messages from people concerned about the price, as packrafts can be expensive, but you get what you pay for. Sure, you can pick up a £50 inflatable kayak from Aldi, but those aren’t nearly as durable or dependable as the TPU fabric a packraft is made from. Trust me, the extra investment is worth it for the added longevity and peace of mind when you’re out in the wild.
My Adventures
My adventures have taken me on some incredible outdoor journeys whether utilising the micro adventure approach or longer planned trips:
Packrafting Glaskogen National Park, Sweden – Exploring the stunning Swedish wilderness, paddling through lakes, and camping on remote islands.
Packrafting and fishing for spurdogs in Scotland – A wild and rugged adventure, battling the elements and hoping for a big catch.
Camping alone in a primeval Polish forest – A solo adventure filled with eerie tranquillity, wildlife encounters, and the occasional rustling that makes you question all your life choices.
Camping in the Highlands with my roof tent setup – Using my Isuzu D-Max with a Tentbox Cargo roof tent, I can literally walk out of the house, turn on the engine, and go wherever. With two weeks’ worth of food and gear packed, I can head off for a quick overnight trip, catch the evening hatch, watch the sunrise, and disappear into the Lake District to hike and fish some of the beautiful mountain tarns. There’re loads of info about roof tent camping on my YouTube channel.
Carry-On Camping: I'm always looking for ways to get outside and explore, and lately, I’ve embraced a new way of camping that’s as quick and adventurous. lightweight as it gets—*Carry-On Camping*. The concept is simple: take a cheap flight to a foreign destination and only bring what you can pack into your carry-on bag. No checked luggage. No excessive gear. Just the essentials for a spontaneous outdoor adventure abroad.
Of course, this minimalist strategy comes with multiple challenges. You're restricted in what you can carry without the luxury of checked luggage. Knives, petrol, hiking poles, and tent pegs? Forget about it. But that’s part of the fun. It forces you to think outside the box and get creative. You might find yourself using a random stick as a tent pole or sourcing fuel locally (which, let’s face it, is half the fun of travel).
Martin is the author of many articles on the outdoors and travel fishing. He even has his own outdoor figure
Despite the limitations, *Carry-On Camping* opens up a whole new world of possibilities. With only the basics in your bag, you may book a trip on a whim, show up, and be ready to camp out in the wilderness. From a spontaneous weekend in a distant area of Europe to a fast trip to Scandinavia to a weekend adventure in the Alps, the beauty of this kind of camping is the freedom it provides. Without the inconvenience of overpacking or concern about the weight of a large backpack, it's ideal for those wanting to maximise a fast break.
If you’re interested in learning more about *Carry-On Camping* “ooh matron!” then check out my video (Carry On Camping: Tyresta National Park, Sweden | Travel Light, Camp Smart). In it, I walk you through the gear I take, how to make it work, and share some tips for making the most of this unique and adventurous way to travel. A few days abroad can cost as little as £100 per person (depending on if you need a hire car to get to your start point).
Join Me on My Adventures
My aim is to try and inspire people to get outside, plan those big trips, utilise what environment you have locally for those micro-adventures, and help to choose the right gear—whether you're hiking, fishing, or packrafting.
If you want to keep up with my latest trips, gear reviews, and outdoor insights, follow me on social media:
You can follow Martin’s adventures on his Vildmark YouTube channel, or checkout his website or instagram
Hopefully, you’ll find some useful ideas, hints, and recommendations to help you get outside and appreciate the countryside! At least you may chuckle at my dubious outdoor cooking decisions if not.
